Data from the US National Paediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR) October 1995-October 2000, containing medical records of children under 20 years old hospitalised for pedestrian injuries, were examined. Demographics and outcome measures (nature and severity of injury, utilisation of resources, deaths, and disability at discharge) were compared by location of occurrence. Paediatric pedestrian injuries resulted in severe outcomes whether the events occurred in driveways, public places, or in the road. Off the road injuries accounted for a significant proportion (13.2%) of all serious pedestrian injuries and disproportionately affected the youngest children. Prevention should consider the child's age and the location of injury occurrence. (Author/publisher)
Abstract